Final Panel and Presentation

2025 Paddington Central Panel by Michael Ross

2025 Paddington Central Presentation Slides and Reflection

Overall, I am pleased with the final concept for Paddington Central in 2025 and the futuristic form.

The concepts of the spaces required and the utilization of future implications in my design were extremely thorough and correct. However the layout of the structure upon the site and final structure form requires some rethinking, as mentioned within the critique. The brutal and bold form which represents an iconic node of support for the Paddington community, could possibly impact too heavily upon the surrounding site within Paddington. More shelter spaces for passing pedestrians is required and the facade upon Latrobe Tce demands more invitation to the user of the site to enter the structure and explore within. It was also mentioned in the critique that the possibility of opening up the skin above the interior park would allow for more possibilities. However,  it was my pure intentions to design a futuristic form which entailed all within. A bold, iconic structure!

If I was to change the design, I would either cut a large opening within the middle of the front facade inviting passing pedestrians in, and allowing for passing drivers to see the market and landscape within, or to re-design the entire layout of the structure with an open (non-sheltered) parklands entwining itself around individual spaces/building forms.

Week Twelve Progression

Important to go back to basics and review what was truly required within the structure:

Experimentation of single structures for each space requirement:

Futuristic bold form (brutal with the inclusion of organic landscape inside):

Possibility of utilizing movable floorplans of organic food production, allowing for the capturing of the northen sunlight aswell as allowing natural light into the interior of this bold form.

Below is a perspective sketch of a possible final form for this unique structure (form explained more within final presentation slides):

After countless hours on sketchup and more definition of final building layout (as explained in final blog).. the final form/structure was established as Paddington Central in 2025:

Additional Research Week Twelve

'The Future of Architecture: 2015-2025' Blog by John Watts Reflection

'The green building movement will finally emerge into its adult stage and become the dominant paradigm of architecture and development in the West. Twenty years from now what was the gold level of performance in LEED will be the standard level of performance for all buildings in the U.S. and Canada. Multiple examples of the living building will exist, further raising the bar to performance. Most buildings will use 40% to 50% less energy than their counterparts today. The best buildings will use 80% to 90% less energy than their counterparts today and use 50% less water.'
This is a definite! Sustainable design is becoming the dominant paradigm of architecture and will be a significant factor in the architectural world of 2025.

'Biomimicry will emerge as a vibrant specialization in the economy.'
In terms of Architecture, future biomimicry research and designs will assist a world where radical increases in resource efficiency, linear to closed loop systems, and the solar economy become significantly vital to the survival of humanity!

Biomimicry explained more in following TedTalks video:

http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_pawlyn_using_nature_s_genius_in_architecture.html

'The national park system will double in size to protect the few undeveloped areas left in the continent. A worldwide effort at ecosystem sanctuaries will gain momentum.'
Clearly more green spaces will be required in future architectural design.

'Resource scarcity will start to become a serious problem in a large part of the world. Resource based conflicts will erupt in the third world on an increasing scale. The effects of global change will weaken the agriculture and food production systems of the world. The public at large will finally understand the connection between their lifestyles and the effect on the environment. Political parties will start to be influenced to a greater extent by environmental groups.'
This scenario would be a blessing in disguise! All humans (especially those in first worlds with the money and power) must realize our lifestyle impacts onto the environment.. and hopefully political parties will be influenced to make sustainable changes.

'By the end of the second decade photo-voltaics will drop to the point that this power source will be competitive with conventional energy sources. The amount of photo-voltaics and wind turbines will quadruple in use and will start to become a noticeable part of the landscape. Much of the third world will begin to leapfrog over the mistakes of the West.'
Hopefully this prediction is accurate. Hopefully photovoltaics and wind turbines do become a noticeable part of the landscape. Nonetheless although third worlds may leapfrog over the mistakes of the West, first they must be able to develop their own economy.

'The hydrogen economy will become a proven component in many countries around the world. Fuel cells will start to become as ubiquitous as television is today, further transforming society. The major automakers will stop making the internal combustion engine near the end of the second decade as the hydrogen infrastructure is completed.'
The changing of engines will result in a significantly positive effect on the surrounding environment.

'The Greenhouse of the Future' Journal by Alex Frangos Exemplars

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124050414436548553.html

ON THE HOUSE The Rios Clementi Hale Studios house has a garden façade that includes chickpeas, tomatoes and other plants. The plants also provide shade and cooling. A rooftop reservoir collects water and keeps the building cool, while rooftop windmills generate energy.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124050414436548553.html

BRANCHING OUT William McDonough + Partners envisions its house like a tree. The "bark" of the house is made up of thin, insulating films that would self-clean and self-heal if damaged. A curved roof with large eaves provides shade, which lowers the heat load in summer. The "trunk," or the frame of the home, consists of carbon tubes, while the "roots" are a heat-pump system buried in the yard.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124050414436548553.html

UNDER MY SKIN Cook + Fox's house reacts to the weather, turning dark in the bright sun to insulate the house from heat and turning clear on dark days to absorb light and heat. The façade also captures rain and condensation to fill the household's water needs. Inside, walls and furniture are on rollers to take advantage of the fact that some spaces, such as bedrooms, are underutilized most of the day.

Personally, the Under My Skin design is my favourite and incorporates a design aspect I already had in mind. Imagine a street of large rectangular glass houses. Inside these greenhouses are homes/rooms. The space inside does not require roofing systems or even windows as a result of the outer shell providing shade and shelter from the surrounding environment! The concept of the outer shell facade turning darker as the day gets hotter to cool the interior is one of the aspects I shall incorporate into my suburban design. The outer shell will also act as PhotoVoltaic windows, capturing the majority of sunlight energy as it passes through into the interior structure.

'Architecture as a Dissident Practice' and 'Architecture is a Device' Readings

Architecture as a Dissident Practice Reading

'To advocate architecture as a wider form of cultural production.'

Architecture does act as a provider of space for cultural enhancement or creation. Possibly within the future when virtual realities are created, architecture will still play a role of designing cultural space.

'The collapse of the certainties and orthodoxies of previous generations seems to have created a condition for the discipline which is at once liberating and extremely disorienting.'

Perhaps the theory of architecture for the new generation has died (or 'lulled') as the new generation now lead to new better possibilities, as a result of new technologies. I'm unsure if these new methods are 'extremely disorienting' as new concepts and ideas will lead to new things and in time become more orientated and enhanced.

'One has to accept that there is more to architecture than space-making: architecture is event-making, it's always thinking about perception, and space, use, choreography, setting up relations and so forth.'

This is a major factor of architectural design. What actually happens in that space. Adaptable space will always be required as the future of culture and human needs may change!

Architecture is a Device Reading

'Aim to produce urban life higher up by increasing densities, accepting growth, and aspiring to a global future where more people will inhabit the planet.'

The way of future design is UP. This is extremely clear as our population continues to grow and grow, and our habitable landscape is becoming more demolished everyday. Therefore architects must push design towards vertical cities.. as has been mentioned previously within my blog.

'To compete or even survive in the commercial battle, a "swallowing" of the newest thoughts, techniques and aesthetics has become the current strategy among architects.'

We live in a competitive world.. there is no doubt about that. In the Information Age, architects must 'swallow' all the latest thoughts, techniques and aesthetics if they are to survive and fulfill themselves as designers. So I totally agree with this quote.

'The role of the architect questioned.'

Perhaps in the near future the role of the architect will be questioned, but there will always be a need for designers of space.. whether virtual or real!

'Can [Architecture] contribute beyond its own domain toward other agendas such as globalization, free migration, the division between rich and poor, ecology or demands for a more intensive use of the Earth?.'

I do not believe Architecture can contribute to all these future needs beyond its domain.. but architects and designers MUST collaborate with the other practices of this world on a common goal if humanity is to fix its current issues.

'Architects work not only on buildings but on regional planning as well; they work within the fields of research and education, theatre, art installations, and political programs.'

As a result of this architects must research into many other fields. Maybe as referred back to the previous quote, architects will in the future (to battle the prevailing human issues) contribute beyond its own domain. Quite a concept to think about! Only the future will tell.

'It can potentially suggest societal directions by literally constructing thoughts.'

Architectural space does suggest societal directions.. there is no doubt about that. But perhaps it is society which architects follow instead.

'It will give architecture a role again: as a spatial expertise.'

I agree with this quote. Whatever the future entails, whatever future technologies or humanity allows designers to do, there will always be a need for spatial expertises'.

'At what point does architecture become didactic, singular, or belaboring?'

That is truly a hard question. Possibly within the near future.. maybe today we are already at that point, or perhaps the need for architecture will go the complete opposite way.

'The Aspatial City' Reading

The concept of technology creating a world where distances between humans do not matter. 

A world where distances do not exist.

"And that is exactly it. The continous partial everywhere is the aspatial experience of simultaneity in immediate media. I am in the city where my friends are at the same as the one where I am myself. The city for me is no longer only a city in space, but now also a city in time. An aspatial city, without distances, in a kind of aspace."

http://juhavantzelfde.com/post/23506562343/the-aspatial-city

The idealogy of a present and future, within first world countries, where technology such as Facebook and iPhones continue to destroy what privacy individuals have left and speed up the interaction of society. Above is Sarah van Sonsbeeck concept of a tent which represents the 'right to silence'. The electromagnetic radiation shielding of the tent prevents the set of frequencies used by modern technology and allows individuals inside to exist within a space where modern society has no impact upon them.

What does it mean for architecture and design if spaces for interaction do not exist or are not required by society. Will everyone begin to live and work within their own homes? If this is the case, a sense of community will be lost. Therefore I aim to design space for this project where individuals of Paddington wish to come and interact with others face-to-face. So we do not loose this culture. An adaptable, organic space (for indeterminate design) may just be the answer!

Week Eleven Progression

 

Site changed to original site plus commercial area across Warmington St. The end of Warmington St has been removed for more site area and pedestrian movement as it is not required. Residential homes on that street are still accessible from the other direction. Site is not incorporating over the road as it was before.

Experimentation with possible form locations on the new site for the shopping complex:

The integration of the organic landscape with the shopping complex structure is still highly important!

Establishing the final site plan layout: 

The final form for the shopping complex and the surrounding landscape was established based upon orientation for the organic gardens, easiest access for parking, bus stations and delivery docks, pedestrian movement amongst the site, and the open view into the interior of the structure as vehicles drive along Latrobe Tce.

The contours for the majority of the surrounding Paddington has now been created in Sketchup as can be seen below, with the built form so far:

Clearly the landscape area under the right of the structure has quite a decline. From here the locations of each space will be established, aswell as the fusion of the below landscape to the shopping complex structure.

Storage and service space still required.

Tutor Reflections

Justify the removal of the street more

FORM IS TOO BASIC ---> use extended corner more

Limit structure to 3 stories high

Design the structure to draw people in!